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As one of the world’s top economies and exporters of cultural capital, Japan is an
integral piece of our increasingly globalized world. Japan is widely recognized as
one of the world’s chief producers of automobiles, robotics, medical innovation, and
a host of other products; it is also known for its unique cultural contributions,
including animation, music, philosophy, literature, martial arts, and sport. Learning
the Japanese language is the key to accessing Japan’s rich cultural legacy. MTSU's
energetic faculty is dedicated to helping students learn Japanese, which in turn will
allow them to fully participate in that legacy as well as to become engaged and responsible
global citizens.

What we're doing

Japanese business connections strong in state, nation

MTSU is one of only two universities in Tennessee that offers a degree in Japanese
language, which is the gateway to engaging with one of the world’s premier economies
and dedicated trade partner of the United States. In Tennessee, Japanese companies
such as Nissan and Bridgestone account for 62% of direct foreign investment, while
globally Japan is the world’s third largest economy, with strong trade connections
to the United States. In fact, 62 of the Fortune Global 500 companies are based in
Japan, many of which invest directly in American business. Students graduating with
a degree in Japanese will find many opportunities for employment in Tennessee and
beyond. For more information on Japan-Tennessee business relations, please click the
following link http://www.nashville.us.emb-japan.go.jp to be redirected to the website for the Japanese Consulate in Nashville.

MTSU students excel in Japan through exchange program

Andrew Witt and Mitchell Plumer joined MTSU’s Japanese program at the same time, unaware
that they would become fast friends on the same academic track. “Within a year, we
were knee-deep in the program. Competing in the Tennessee area speech contest, meeting
exchange students at the language table, and preparing for study abroad became our
passions,” Plumer says. In their junior year, Witt and Plumer participated in MTSU’s
exchange program with sister schools in Fukuoka and Osaka. “It was life-changing to
say the least. We were actually put in upper-intermediate Japanese courses when we
got there, thanks to our classes back at MTSU,” Witt says. Both students graduated
with honors in December 2014. The two became interested in the Japanese Exchange and
Teaching program after a career session at the language table, and Plumer earned his
first job abroad through JET.

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A wide array of employment options await students with a major or minor in Japanese.
Employers of MTSU students include Nissan, the Japanese and Exchange Teaching (JET)
program, the Japanese consulate, and public schools, to name a few. Career opportunities
for Japanese language majors are available in various sectors such as

Engineering (automotive, electric)

Government (State Department, FBI/CIA, United Nations)

Higher education (higher education, JET program)

Information technology (computer information systems, video games)

International business

Journalism

Translation

Employers of MTSU alumni

This information is still being compiled since this is a new program.

MTSU now offers the option of either the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science
(B.S.) in Foreign Language with a major in Foreign Languages and a concentration in
Japanese.

For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS tab above.

The major in Foreign Languages also has concentrations in French, German, and Spanish. Minors are offered in French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. Courses in Arabic,
Chinese, Hebrew, Italian, Kurdish, Latin, Portuguese, and Russian are available.

Japanese B.A.

Foreign Languages, Japanese Concentration, B.A.

A major in Foreign Languages with a Japanese concentration consists of 36 semester hours (excluding 1010) and must include at least 20 hours of upper-division work. Before beginning the junior year, the student should file a degree plan with his or her advisor.

JAPN 2020 - Intermediate Japanese II

JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.

ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.

COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication

3 credit hours

Principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025

HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010

HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020

Subtotal: 31 hours

Junior

JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3000-4000 level electives 6 credit hours

Minor courses 6 credit hours

Electives 12 credit hours

Subtotal: 30 hours

Senior

JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.

JAPN 4000-level elective 3 credit hours

JAPN 3000-4000 level electives 9 credit hours

Electives 7 credit hours

Minor courses 6 credit hours

Subtotal: 28 hours

Japanese B.S.

Foreign Languages, Japanese Concentration, B.S.

A major in Foreign Languages with a Japanese concentration consists of 36 semester hours (excluding 1010) and must include at least 20 hours of upper-division work. Before beginning the junior year, the student should file a degree plan with his or her advisor.

JAPN 2020 - Intermediate Japanese II

JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.

ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.

COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication

3 credit hours

Principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025

HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010

HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020

Subtotal: 31 hours

Junior

JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3000-4000 level elective 6 credit hours

Minor courses 12 credit hours

Electives 6 credit hours

Subtotal: 30 hours

Senior

JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.

Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3010 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3015 - Business Japanese I
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or permission of instructor. Basic linguistic and cultural skills to conduct business in Japan or any other Japanese setting.

JAPN 3015 - Business Japanese I
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 2020 or permission of instructor. Basic linguistic and cultural skills to conduct business in Japan or any other Japanese setting.

JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3020 - Advanced Japanese
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3010 or equivalent. A continuation of modern Japanese. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced understanding of the language.

JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.

JAPN 3030 - Advanced Japanese III
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. A continuation of JAPN 3020. Emphasis on linguistic and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Includes further study of Japanese culture for enhanced learning of the language.

JAPN 3035 - Business Japanese II
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. Advanced linguistic and cultural skills necessary to conduct business in Japan or any other Japanese setting.

JAPN 3035 - Business Japanese II
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3020 or permission of instructor. Advanced linguistic and cultural skills necessary to conduct business in Japan or any other Japanese setting.

JAPN 3570 - Introduction to Japanese Linguistics
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 or permission of instructor. Introduces linguistic study of the Japanese language with emphasis on theoretical, social, and applied linguistic concepts and data in Japanese. Taught in Japanese.

JAPN 3570 - Introduction to Japanese Linguistics
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 or permission of instructor. Introduces linguistic study of the Japanese language with emphasis on theoretical, social, and applied linguistic concepts and data in Japanese. Taught in Japanese.

JAPN 3900 - Japan Study Abroad
3 credit hours

Students will explore various traditional and modern aspects of Japan while studying abroad. May be repeated. Does not count toward Japanese major or minor.

JAPN 3900 - Japan Study Abroad
3 credit hours

Students will explore various traditional and modern aspects of Japan while studying abroad. May be repeated. Does not count toward Japanese major or minor.

JAPN 4010 - Topics in Japanese Language and Culture
3 credit hours

Topics will vary and will be selected from specialized areas in Japanese language or culture. May be repeated for maximum 6 hours credit.

JAPN 4010 - Topics in Japanese Language and Culture
3 credit hours

Topics will vary and will be selected from specialized areas in Japanese language or culture. May be repeated for maximum 6 hours credit.

JAPN 4020 - Modern Japanese Literature
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 or permission of instructor. Examines Japanese modern literary works, techniques, and authors from early-to-mid twentieth century to the present. Taught in Japanese.

JAPN 4020 - Modern Japanese Literature
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 or permission of instructor. Examines Japanese modern literary works, techniques, and authors from early-to-mid twentieth century to the present. Taught in Japanese.

JAPN 4030 - Form and Void: A Study of Japanese Poetics
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3030. Examination of Japanese poetics from earliest days to present.

JAPN 4030 - Form and Void: A Study of Japanese Poetics
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3030. Examination of Japanese poetics from earliest days to present.

JAPN 4040 - Advanced Japanese in Cultural Context I
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 or permission of instructor. Building on advanced skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Japanese with particular emphasis on the study of a variety of content topics.

JAPN 4040 - Advanced Japanese in Cultural Context I
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3030 or permission of instructor. Building on advanced skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Japanese with particular emphasis on the study of a variety of content topics.

JAPN 4050 - Advanced Japanese in Cultural Context II
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 4040 or permission of instructor. Building on advanced skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Japanese with particular emphasis on the study of a variety of content topics.

JAPN 4050 - Advanced Japanese in Cultural Context II
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 4040 or permission of instructor. Building on advanced skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Japanese with particular emphasis on the study of a variety of content topics.

JAPN 4570 - Topics in Japanese Linguistics
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3570 or permission of instructor. Continuing the linguistic study of the Japanese language with focus on selected topics at the advanced level. Course taught in Japanese.

JAPN 4570 - Topics in Japanese Linguistics
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: JAPN 3570 or permission of instructor. Continuing the linguistic study of the Japanese language with focus on selected topics at the advanced level. Course taught in Japanese.